Pheasant-tailed Jacana

The pheasant-tailed jacana, a member of the jacana family, is a distinctive bird with elongated toes and nails that allow it to gracefully traverse floating vegetation in shallow lakes. This species is notable for its seasonal plumage changes and is the only jacana known to undertake long migrations.

Identification Tips

In breeding plumage, the pheasant-tailed jacana is easily recognized by its elongated central tail feathers, chocolate brown body, white face, and silky golden nape. The wings are predominantly white, with a black border visible in flight. Non-breeding plumage sees the bird in a more subdued brown with a dark eyestripe and a necklace-like pattern on a white front. Both sexes possess sharp white carpal spurs, with females typically larger than males.

Habitat

The pheasant-tailed jacana favors shallow lakes rich in floating vegetation, which is essential for its foraging and breeding.

Distribution

This species is widespread across tropical Asia, from Yemen to the Philippines. It exhibits migratory behavior in parts of its range, with northern populations moving southward during the non-breeding season.

Behaviour

The pheasant-tailed jacana is known for its foraging strategy, which includes both swimming and walking on aquatic vegetation. It is a polyandrous species, with females laying several clutches of eggs that are incubated and raised by different males within their harem.

Song & Calls

The bird's vocalizations include a mewing call and a nasal tone among winter flocks. During the breeding season, males and females have distinct calls, with young birds emitting a low cheep.

Breeding

Breeding occurs on floating vegetation during the rainy season. The female is polyandrous and may lay up to ten clutches, leaving the male to incubate the eggs and raise the young. The eggs are dark olive-brown with glossy black markings.

Similar Species

The pheasant-tailed jacana can be confused with the bronze-winged jacana, especially in immature birds. However, the presence of white wings and a black stripe on the neck helps distinguish the pheasant-tailed jacana.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet primarily consists of insects, molluscs, and other invertebrates, which it picks from the water's surface or floating vegetation.

Conservation status

The pheasant-tailed jacana is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline.